Germany stuns Ivory Coast to reach World Cup knockout stage with late Undav heroics

TORONTO, June 21 — Germany reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 2014 with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast today.

Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including the crucial goal four minutes into injury time, triggering a massive roar from the overwhelmingly pro-German crowd of 43,000 in Toronto.

Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough.

He paid tribute to Undav’s clinical finishing—and said it was “not out of the question” that he could start the next game against Ecuador.

“That was great for him. You can’t get more decisive than that!” Nagelsmann told MagentaTV.

Germany were chasing their opponents in the first half and the Ivorians surged ahead when Franck Kessie struck in the 30th minute.

Kessie turned in from close range following strong work by teenage Ivorian phenomenon Yan Diomande, who is in the sights of some of Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool.

The Germans thought they had found the net twice in the first half.

Nathaniel Brown’s corner in the 21st minute was knocked into the net by Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez immediately called it back, adjudging that Pavlovic had fouled Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Then, in the 38th minute, German forward and Arsenal star Kai Havertz had the ball in the net, but that too was disallowed, this time because of a foul by Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.

When the second half began, the Germans applied relentless pressure.

The Ivorian defence held firm until the 68th minute, but ultimately the Germans broke through when Undav volleyed in a cross by Nadiem Amiri.

His second, thanks to an assist from Felix Nmecha, sent Nagelsmann and the German crowd into wild celebrations as the Germans snapped a string of disappointments at the last two World Cups.

“Winning mentality, team spirit—we had exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament,” Germany defender Jonathan Tah said.

“We never gave up, we kept going no matter what. The guys coming off the bench brought energy. Deniz deserves a special mention, outstanding!”

The Ivorians have never advanced at a World Cup, but may still move on with a win over debutants Curacao in their final group stage match. — AFP